[This is part of a series on addiction from the perspective of one who loves the addict, not the addict him/herself.]

Apollo 13 is the NASA mission where an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the moon. The famous quote from this disaster is "Houston, we have a problem." This phrase is one we often use to indicate a serious problem that requires immediate attention.

When we become aware of the addiction of someone we love, we have a problem. It's serious, and it requires immediate attention. How we handle that problem matters. Unfortunately, there is not a guaranteed one-size-fits-all solution. In the movie Apollo 13, Mission Control in Houston works with the astronauts to find a solution. They try a lot of different things before they find the solution that will bring them home.

This is the beginning of a series on addiction. But it isn't about addicts; it is for those who love them. When a family member or friend is addicted, there is a great spiritual battle happening, not just in their life, but in the lives of those around them.